Flash Memory Buffer Block Reclaim for Power Reduction

The patent implements a block reclaim operation that identifies and reclaims nullified space in the flash memory buffer by copying valid data blocks to new locations and marking old blocks as reusable. This recovers storage space without requiring buffer flush operations, thereby maintaining data reliability while reducing power consumption associated with frequent spindle motor activation and mechanical element operation.

The patent extracts and processes only the valid data blocks from the flash memory buffer, separating them from nullified or invalid blocks. By identifying valid data blocks through address mapping comparison and selectively copying only these blocks to new locations, the system performs reclaim operations more efficiently with reduced power consumption compared to traditional buffer flush operations that would process all data.

The block reclaim operation discards nullified space by copying valid data blocks to new locations and marking the original blocks as reusable. This recovers storage space availability without requiring buffer flush operations that activate the spindle motor and move mechanical elements, thereby reducing mechanical stress and improving endurance while maintaining adequate storage space in the buffer.

The patent replaces the mechanical buffer flush operation (which requires spindle motor activation and head movement) with a logical block reclaim operation performed in the flash memory buffer. The controller manages data block copying and address mapping updates without activating mechanical elements, substituting mechanical operations with electronic/memory-based operations to reduce wear and improve endurance.

The patent implements dynamic address mapping that allows flexible allocation and reassignment of data block addresses in the flash memory buffer. Instead of fixed sequential addressing, the system dynamically manages address mappings to track valid and nullified blocks, enabling efficient space reuse through block reclaim operations while maintaining data write integrity through proper mapping management.

The block reclaim operation recovers unused space by identifying nullified blocks (those containing data that has been overwritten or invalidated) and making them available for new data writes. This space recovery mechanism maintains data write integrity by ensuring that only valid data blocks are accessed through proper address mapping, while continuously replenishing unused space to reduce buffer flush frequency.